Blog Award: The Dragon’s Loyalty Award

I always get a tingle of delight when I see one of those pings appear on my notifications. But I noticed that more often than not, tags do take time to prepare and write. I tell myself I will use a tag on a day I don’t have a review or post scheduled, and then I forget. Still, I love them and I haven’t lost the hope to catch up before the end of the month.

I’d like to send a hug and a puppy with a ‘thank you’ note around his neck to Jill @ rantandraveaboutbooks.com for nominating me to the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. If you are looking for detailed and passionate books reviews, her blog is the place to go!

Dragon’s Loyalty Award

The Rules:

Display the award on your blog.

Announce your win with a post.

Link the blogger who awarded you.

Present six deserving blogs with the award.

Link your awardees in the post and let them know of their being awarded.

Write seven interesting things about yourself.

#1 I don’t consider flowers and plants to be good gifts, at least for me. Why would someone make me such a poisoned present? They need a lot of attention; you must water them, choose the right pot and make sure they get enough sun light. My mother even talks to them. I don’t have time for any of this. Buy me a plastic cactus if you must, but if you really want to please me, nothing beats a beautiful candle.

#2 My insomnia is back, which means my brain doesn’t get enough sleep to function normally. The hardest part is my body won’t allow me to take naps. If I dare trying, I’ll wake up sick and with a massive headache for the rest of the day. It has hampered my plans for the week, reduced the number of posts published on my blog and forced me to stay on the couch doing nothing for too many long hours. I really hope to get some rest soon. I am not fond of pills so I’m trying every natural way to kick insomnia’s ass. If you have any tips, I’m all ears!

#3 I play with my hair all the time, especially when I’m tired or nervous. I turn my hair ends into a circle in my palm and then I toy with it with my index. It’s weird, but I don’t care, I have been doing this since my hair was long enough. I’ll probably still be doing it at 70. My hairdresser hates me for it.

#4 I love the cold. That explains how I survived living in the North of France for 18 years. We basically share England’s weather. Of course, I am not talking about -18°C temperatures, but I miss rainy days and that lovely cold wind. When you are cold, you can always add up layers to help warm your body. But what do you do when you feel your entire body melting even though you’re dressed as a stripper? Spring, summer and autumn can be very tough in the South. Interestingly, we get our fair share of rain in Bordeaux. The main difference is it’s 40°C and the showers never last long. As soon as spring shows up, I know my nightmare is about to begin. You have little chance of stumbling across me in the middle of a July day if I can avoid it. Plus, who wants to ride the tramway crammed with sweaty people who don’t remember what a shower is?

#5 I hate surprises. Even the word sends shivers down my spine. I don’t want someone to plan a trip without me knowing, I don’t like surprise parties, I hate not knowing where I’m going. I am much happier if you come to me with an idea and I get to have a say in what’s gonna happen. I know, I am no fun. Still, it’s better to be a party pooper than find yourself in the middle of the woods for a so called “fun camping trip” on a rainy day.

#6 I can’t draw. At all. Don’t ask me for a house and a dog, you’ll get a packing box and an alien with Mickey ears. I always say the creativity fairy sneezed over my cradle and all I got was dandruff.

#7 Bartenders still ask for my ID when I go out. I may be 25, but I sure don’t look like it. People keep telling me I’ll be happy about it when I’m 40, and that might be true, but try and be credible when everyone thinks you’re 17.

Congratulations on the award! I don’t have any tips for the insomnia, but I do hope it gets better. I suffered from it as a student and it made me so exhausted . I couldn’t sleep but I was tired all the time. Then it just went away somehow.
I hate surprises too! You have to tell me in advance or I’ll be upset. 🙂

Great answers to the questions – I was one of those people who got asked for ID well into my twenties too so I both sympathise and want to turn the clock back!! However I hate the cold although I’m far from being a sun worshipper either spring is my favourite season.

Ok you are kind of crazy 😉 I love the cold.. you are the first person I’ve ever heard say this. I wouldn’t mind swapping places, you can have all the cold and rain from here because everybody is craving a little sun and warmth where I live and I wouldn’t mind a tropical place at all. I hate surprises too btw. Loved your answers, truly!

Ah yes!! Candles are so much better as gifts- why buy plants for people- they will not stay alive and I will feel guilty about it! Flowers are acceptable though- because they will go in the bin once they have served their purpose. Insomnia sucks I don’t really have a cure Can you get kalms- they’re natural and pretty good- but you need to allow for a solid 8 hours of sleep or they’ll make you groggy- I tend to only use them in emergencies (aka I know I have to get some sleep before an exam- so I’d use them then) haha the second you mentioned hair, I touched mine, it’s like a reflex. Ahh no I am a heat person- I went to uni in Edinburgh and literally couldn’t cope with the cold- it was horrible but I hear you about the public transport thing- the underground is disgusting in the summer- it’s getting to the point where I’m going to *have to* find an alternative route home. haha I get what you mean about surprises- I like plans!! hahaha that’s a funny image. And I used to get that all the time- I don’t get it as much any more- but I think that’s cos of the clothes I wear.
Thanks so much for the tag!! 😀 I am glad to be your favourite banana lover!!

Even flowers are no-no to me because they need a vase, and you often have to cut the ends, and I just can’t bother! Plus, my bin is too small 😂 I checked Kalms tablets but I would have to order on a website and I am paranoid about this. But I’ll go back to my herbalist and beg him for something stronger! Or I’ll bang my head against a wall. An 8-hour night of sleep, is it for real? I thought it was a myth 😂 I’d be happy to send you the sun and warmth we’ll get once the heat hits us! I’m a bit jealous of people who can bear it! I tried walking instead of getting on a busy tramway but it was even worse, it’s like the sun tries to kill me if I stay out for more than 5 minutes.
You’re welcome 😀 I can’t wait to read your answers!! You have no idea. You stole the title to David Tennant, can you imagine? But it’s okay, I have loooooots of nicknames for him,hahaha.

haha that is an excellent point- it’s exhausting! ahh that’s a good idea- kalms is basically just hops- which is basically like having non-alcoholic beer- so your herbalist will definitely be able to give you similar stuff. Ahh don’t- 8 hours would be magic right now!!! hahaha please do!!! I’m gonna need to go somewhere hot soon- I’m totally heat deprived :p I’m jealous of people that can cope with the cold- let’s swap!
hahahaha I did not know that- but now you mention it- I remember that episode- it’s when he regenerates, isn’t it? (I could be wrong- it’s been a long time) hahaha so you should- I loved him- my favourite doctor for sure

You did this one fast! I also do not like surprises. I’m too much of a control freak. Plants and flowers are most definitely not gifts. Luckily, I’ve never dated anyone who assumed they passed as one or they’d be out the door. Haha! Your facts are always so fun to read. 😝

I know! I told myself it was perfect to get back to tags. I think it’s the first time I reply to a tag in less than 24h.
Haha, I could not help but imagine a poor guy standing with flowers in his arms and you slamming the door shut. One of my favorite dates involved peanut butter as a gift. Much, much better!
I am surprised at the number of people who don’t like surprises. I thought it was just me being to much of a control freak.
Thank you! 😆

Now that’s creative! Peanut butter for a date gift is original. I had a guy send me flowers before the date, then he took me shopping, which was really weird. Nice guy but he was totally freaking me out. I don’t like surprise anything, even dinners. Haha! I need to know everything I’m doing, eating, wearing…

Sounds to me he was working too hard, haha. Argh, surprise dinners! I loathe them. You come home very tired and all you wanna do is eat McDonalds and sit in front of a tv show. But the table is all set or you’re asked to go get dressed because you’re eating out. NOOOO. Leave me alone!

You lived in the North of France? I’m currently there (well, for two more months before I’m moving out) 😀
And now you’re South, but your city seems SO gorgeous 🙂
Insomnia really sucks, I suffer from it a lot, as well, and I’ve tried everything, but nothing really works. I wish I could help more, but at least I can understand what you’re going through? 🙂 I’m going crazy always in my head when this happens. If you can take a good book and take your mind off things, maybe this’ll work. I drink a lot of herbal tea as well when it happens to me, and I tried taking some anxiety pills…can’t say it’s a miracle remedy, but it’s a start 🙂 ❤

Born and raised in Boulogne sur mer. I’m a true Northerner 😀 I miss the cold weather but Bordeaux is my home now.
I’m glad you understand 🙂 I often hear ‘Make an effort, it’s not hard to sleep…” I envy the people who fall asleep within 5 minutes and get full nights of rest. I want to wake them up as a revenge, haha. I tried pills but I don’t like taking meds. I am more comfortable with herbal tea, I use it too! 🙂 It smells really bad but it works some nights. xx

Haha, I’m laughing because I went there two weeks ago, it’s a pretty city 🙂
Oh yes, me too, I wish I could fall asleep in 5 minutes, but it just takes me hours, and I’m going crazy. I understand, I don’t like taking meds either, and I don’t find them that efficient anyway, so… herbal tea it is 🙂